Singulair and Possible Suicide Risk
Singulair is a prescription drug manufactured by Merck & Co. that is used as maintenance treatment for those suffering from asthma, but also used to relieve symptoms of those suffering from seasonal allergies. With millions of asthma sufferers worldwide, Singulair has been touted as a drug that can help prevent the symptoms of asthma before they even start. Over 50 million Americans alone suffer from nasal allergies and Singulair has been helpful in preventing those symptoms as well. It was approved for treating asthma in 1998 and for seasonal allergies in 2003. Singulair is used by millions and resulted in $4.3 billion in sales last year for Merck. It has been prescribed by physicians to both adults and children over the age of two.
However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is looking into a connection between Singulair and suicidal behavior. The FDA called the possible connection an “emerging safety issue” after it was reported to them that “3 or 4” patients who were taking Singulair committed suicide. Currently, the FDA is doing an investigation to see if there is a link between taking Singulair and experiencing extreme mood or behavior changes, including suicidal behavior.
Within the past year, Merck has told physicians that possible side effects of Singulair could be tremors, depression, suicidal thinking or behavior and anxiety. The FDA has asked Merck to look at study data for more information on the patients who experienced depression, suicidal thinking or behavior, but it may take up to nine months for such an evaluation to be completed.
Until the study is complete, the FDA is not recommending that patients stop taking Singulair, but rather talk to their physicians if they have concerns. The FDA also advised physicians to monitor all patients taking this medication as well as Zyflo and Dey, two other drugs in the same class as Singulair. Merck officials issued a statement saying that the FDA based its concerns about Singulair on reports, not clinical findings, which is what is normally used to test drug safety. Of the 11,000 patients that have enrolled in 40 Singulair trials, Merck points out that none have committed suicide.
April 22nd, 2008 at 7:39 am
My son was on Singulair for many years he is now 16 years old. Many times he came to me saying that he was depressed. I put him on B vitamins and kept our communacation open. When I heard out the possible side effects from Singulair I took him off the medicine. I am extremly angry that this was most likely the cause of alot of his problems. I don’t use any other prescrition medications in my home. I trusted that my son truly needed this and was very misled. There were many other symtoms he was experiencing. These drug companies need to be stopped and we need to protect our loved ones.
August 6th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
I am beyond angry. My daughter was on singulair for years and she came off the medication 2 years ago and has attempted suicide 2 times. They should really study these drugs more.
August 30th, 2008 at 3:43 am
my son has been on it a short while……….and in that short while he has went from a sweet loving 5 yr old to something that looks worse than the exorcist when he has a “fit”, screaming, kicking, covering his ears, fighting with everything he has, trying to hurt someone. so i have taken him off the singulair to see if that was the problem.
May 18th, 2009 at 1:08 am
In march of 2007, I started taking singular due to my doctors advice. I could only handle taking two doses. After the second dose, severe insomnia and anxiety set in. I had to go to urgency care. The doctor put me on anti-depressants and sleep aid. For 4 months, I was on 6 different types of anti-depressants and 3 different types of sleep aides. I had to resign from a good paying job and lost my insurance. For the past 19 months, I cannot find any help and constantly struggle with anxiety and insomnia. Every time I have to deal with a stressful situation, my anxiety is very intense and very overwhelming. When nighttime comes around, the fear of trying to sleep, and falling asleep is excruciating. God bless Merck!!!!
December 30th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
My husband was on Singulair for years, along with other meds for his asthma. On January 26, 2009, he woke up and committed suicide. There was no indication that he would ever do such a thing. He was a successful and extremely well respected equestrian. He fought in the Hungarian revolution and was granted political asylum in the US, due to his strong anti-communist stance. He as not a stranger struggle or hardship. The police report indicated a possible link to Singulair.